Treadwell cattle co.
Rocket T Outfitters and the Treadwell Cattle Company have achieved great success both in habitat development and resource marketing.
The Treadwell’s operate a classic family business which has a focus on sustainability and is rooted in choosing a life-style of values and heritage to pass to their 6th generation of Menard Co ranchers. John A., who grew up a part of a large century-plus Ft. McKavett, TX family Ranch, left the ranch for UT and ROTC in the 60’s, and came full circle, returning to ranching with the 1999 purchase of the Brady Ranch in NE Menard and SW McCulloch Counties.
A Few Words
“We had an opportunity to form a real family business, my son (Brian) had great success building Rocket T Outfitters, a large family hunting business, and we knew what we could do for ranching income, the only unknown seemed to be how to manage the brush”, says John in regards to the decision for returning to ranching.
Brian, John’s youngest son, says, “We always went to the Ft. McKavett Ranch on our vacations, I mean, I don’t think I have ever been to a summer camp… Rocket T gave us the avenue to fill-in some of the income gaps that mark the ranching industry.” Brian, who claims to be the only graduate of SMU who breaks into a hard sweat daily, helps operate the ranches, tend to the hunters, light the fires, and is a licensed ranch broker.
——————The following is the biographic dedication as written on the Treadwell’s award plaque:————-
Treadwell Brady Ranch
John A. Treadwell, owner-Brian Treadwell, operator
8,000 acres, Menard & McCulloch counties
More Specifics
The Treadwell Brady Ranch is a true working ranch. Historically, this property had been abused for generations as a sheep ranch. When the Treadwells purchased the property in fall/winter of 1998-1999, the property was characterized by bare ground, overrun with brush and prickly pear, devoid of an operational water system. When the Treadwells began their management program on the Ranch, their overall goal was to reverse decades of abuse and neglect. The Treadwell family strives to operate the ranch at a sustainable level, while improving the available natural resources.
The Treadwell’s wildlife-resource-management goals for game species have been to improve quality of mature animals each year while maximizing profit potential. By keeping habitat front and center, the Treadwells expect all native populations to benefit.
“27 grazing units”
“600 acres used for prescribed burning”
“800 acres of cedar cut”
the numbers
As a working cattle ranch, cattle are run in one herd and rotated through 27 grazing units with a complete rotation of about six months.
Approximately 600 acres are deferred each year for prescribed burning. Along with the deferred pasture being burned, the Treadwells practice a follow-behind burn program for spot burning large areas.
Over the past five years an estimated 800+ acres of cedar has been cut. As a result, spring flow in one large canyon historically dominated by juniper trees has been stimulated.
The Results
The Treadwells have participated in a LIP conservations partnership with TPWD to improve habitat for black-capped vireos and horned lizards. Currently, the Treadwells are in an EQIP partnership with the NRCS to control mesquite and cedar.
Browse utilization surveys are conducted annually to evaluate vegetation responses to applied management techniques, and to determine the impact of browsing animals.
The increased frequency of prescribed burns, rotational grazing and removal of noxious brush has enabled the Treadwells to eliminate supplemental feeding of both livestock and deer. The Treadwells put an emphasis on habitat management and selective harvest for producing the best quality deer their range conditions can afford.
To restore water on the Brady Ranch, the Treadwells have implemented an extensive watering system consisting of fast line, water troughs, wells and reservoirs.
The ranch assisted with the formation of the Menard County Wildlife Management Association, and was instrumental in the formation of the Calf Creek Prescribed Burning Co-op, which later became the McCulloch County Chapter of the Edwards Plateau Prescribed Burn Association.
We offer a hands on approach with lots of in the field experience to help you develop your long term ranch and wildlife goals. As well as giving a peak into our interpretation of the connectivity of nature and how each decision may impact many others. Hiring a consultant who not only understands your situations, but has previously won statewide awards for solutions that work, is a long term step in the right direction.
To arrange for a range tour and problem solving session for your property, please contact us.
